Our Foreign Service scholars pursue studies in non-English speaking countries such as China, France, Germany and Japan, as well as in the UK and USA. MFA values this diversity of talent as we operate on the international stage.

As a Foreign Service scholar, you enjoy a headstart in your career as your development begins from the time you leave for your studies. Besides being assigned a mentor at our Overseas Mission who will support and guide you while abroad, you will undergo internships – one in HQ and the other at an Overseas Mission, to gain insights on MFA work. Sponsorship will also be provided for learning foreign languages to prepare you for future postings. You will also be considered for Master’s degree sponsorship and exchange programmes.

Upon your return from studies, you will take up the role of a Political and Economic Officer. At each stage of your career, you will be equipped with the core skills through milestone training programmes as well as professional and academic courses to maximize your potential. With a view of being an Ambassador, your progression will depend on your performance and potential.

A large portion of those who work there are either scholars, or attended IVY league type uni's on parent's funding, so if you're from a more down to earth background you might feel out of place in that sense.

My brother works there and said at a meeting recently, his boss grilled a colleague for taking urgent leave cos her mom went to hospital and her emails were uncleared during leave.

He told me about what he described as a snapshot of the work culture there, which he said could be pretty "soulless" at times:

Boss: "So how is your mother? Was it so bad you had to take urgent leave?" (in a sarcastic tone)
Colleague: "She passed away. Her motorcycle got hit by a lorry"
Boss: "So old still ride motorcycle? You people better wear helmet if you intend to ride a bike"

*awkward silence in meeting room*

His boss even literally refers to the team as "minions". The moment I heard that I was thinking about the movie horrible bosses ala kevin spacey's character...

Just to clarify the perception. We recruit many officers each year who are non-scholars, and graduated from local universities. We also have a large number of Directors and Ambassadors who are not government scholars. Hence, it is not accurate to say that a large proportion of MFA officers are scholars or ex-students from Ivy League schools.

It is an interesting anecdote that you have shared on the perception of work-life in MFA. However, I would suggest that you find out more from various other sources if you are keen on MFA as this may just be one perspective on the job which may not always be accurate. As rightly pointed out by the user who posted the comment, the source of the information could have been biased. =)

Pros – Good opportunities to interact with people of high social standing around the world.

Chance to travel overseas and experience.

Good place to work in if you are a degree holder on a prestigious government scholarship.

Good launch pad for young adults on a different educational track. (No degree)

Cons – Remuneration did not commensurate with workload.
(Furthermore, significantly lower pay than degree holders, albeit the same workload.

Hostile political officers.

Long work hours without extra remuneration.
(I worked 15 hour work days for 7 days a week until I left.)

Elitist work enviroment.
(Offers S$10 000 to degree holders to stay on an additional 6 months but fail to do the same for diploma holders who carry the same workload; Ambassadors who look down on employees from the heartlands because they stay in HDB apartments)

Have to pay out of your own pocket for entertainment of foreign and domestic high ranking government officials before claiming from a computerised system which will take 1 - 2 months to clear. This is regardless of your current financial status. No effort was made to understand the employee's economic situation.
Advice to Senior Management – There is a limit in the relationship between fiscal rumuneration and employee satisfaction. Eventually, it tapers off to a point where throwing money at people will not keep them. If you're concerned about the high turnover rate, take a good look at the work culture.

To potential employees, do take up this opportunity to learn at MFA. Once you've grown your wings, take off.